New Vectors for Turkmen-Kazakh Economic Ties Were Set in Astana.
ORIENT | Economy. On June 24, Astana hosted a regular meeting of the joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Cultural Cooperation. Co-chaired by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Nokerguly Atagulyev and Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of Staff of the Government of Kazakhstan Galymzhan Koishybayev, the two countries' delegations conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral ties—from the oil and gas sector and transport logistics to agriculture and cultural exchanges.
The main practical outcome of the intergovernmental commission, recorded in the final protocol, was the parties' readiness to accelerate the expansion of trade and economic indicators, building on the already strong momentum. According to the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Kazakhstan, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan has more than doubled over the past five years, exceeding $530 million. Exports of Kazakh products to Turkmenistan increased by almost 50%, reaching $316.3 million, while imports of Turkmen goods to Kazakhstan increased fivefold, reaching $215.8 million. This positive trend continues: from January to April 2026 alone, mutual trade increased by another 7%, reaching $180 million.
A joint business forum held on the sidelines of the commission acted as a catalyst for business activity. A significant business community gathered in the Kazakh capital: approximately 40 leading Turkmen companies and over 100 representatives of Kazakhstan's business community and development institutions.
During the forum, the Kazakh side expressed its readiness to expand trade horizons and presented a package of proposals to Ashgabat. Kazakhstan compiled a list of 178 non-commodity commodities, the combined export potential of which is estimated at over $200 million. These include high-quality metallurgy products, mechanical engineering, construction materials, pharmaceuticals, and food products.
In turn, the Turkmen private sector demonstrated its willingness to be a strong and equal partner, signing a number of breakthrough agreements in the digital economy, logistics, and construction:
— A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between JSC "QazTrade" Trade Policy Development Center and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan (UIET). This step will facilitate the entry of Turkmen private companies into the Kazakh market and vice versa.
— Two major agreements were signed in the field of e-commerce. Kazakhstan's Silk Way Asia Trade LLC signed agreements with its Turkmen partners, Hazar Logistik Economic Association and Gamma Individual Entrepreneur. The development of cross-border online trading and the integration of supply chains are intended to dramatically reduce the delivery time of goods between the countries.
— A Cooperation Agreement in the Investment and Construction Sector was signed between Ashra Solutions LLC and the renowned Turkmen Individual Enterprise Ojar Aziýa (one of the largest construction contractors in Turkmenistan). The partnership is aimed at the joint implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects.
The results of the talks in Astana clearly confirm that the Turkmen-Kazakh dialogue has reached the level of industrial cooperation, digitalization, and direct alliance of major private capital.
